Stem-cell scientists tackle questions

IRVINE - Top stem-cell researchers answered a variety of questions from an audience of nearly 200 Monday night at UC Irvine, some from doctors, researchers and other experts, and some from those who were simply curious.

Biologists Peter Donovan and Hans Keirstead outlined their active research on embryonic stem cells, then, with the help of Biological Sciences Dean Susan Bryant, threw open the floor to questions.

Among the first questions: How much of your laboratory work is pure science, how much trial and error, and how much just luck?

Keirstead, who had just finished describing success he'd had using human embryonic stem cells in laboratory rats paralyzed with spinal injuries to recover some movement, gave the best answer he could.

"To be honest, it's probably equal parts all three," he said.

Another questioner, 12-year-old Evan Ehrenberg - already in a college degree program at Irvine Valley College - wondered, "Will it ever be possible to create an entirely new organ?"

Bryant told him that some animals already can regenerate organs. "I do believe that when everybody figures out how stem cells work, and they're able to control the niche the stem cells take, yes, we should be able to generate entirely new organs."

No one in the audience asked about the "elephant in the room," as one audience member later put it, so Robbins, the moderator, brought it up himself: What about those who oppose embryonicstem-cell research because it destroys a human embryo?

Keirstead said most embryos used in research are discards from fertility clinics and should be used to advance medical research instead of simply being thrown away.

"Cherish it, and use it," he said, prompting applause.

Another questioner wondered why it was important to work with new lines of human embryonic stem cells. President Bush said in 2001 he would allow federal funding to be used for about 60 existing stem-cell lines but would not allow the research to expand.

Donovan said not only are there problems growing the existing lines but scientists need good tissue matches to patients to reduce rejection of the foreign cells.

"We'd really like to be able to derive stem cell lines from a much broader section of the population," he said.

Bryant also said she hoped that restrictions on federal funding would be lifted.

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